I had several things I wanted to do on Good Friday but my mind and body could not corporate. After working eighteen hours shepherding the flock of All Nations, I was drained. So I resolved to do nothing but be sheep. In the afternoon my wife and I drove to the Cross at Groom. This is the biggest cross in the Western Hemisphere. There we found a Catholic priest leading his flock to the Stations of the Cross. We joined the flock. I was deeply touched by the sight of Jesus falling three times. The priest informed us that he did not pretend to fall, but he was completely exhausted and that as we bear the crosses when we fall the third time we need a help from someone else to lift the cross for us. After the Stations of the Cross we visited Angel Michael who was killing the dragon. The sight of this archangel and the power he had over the dragon give me a feeling of security.
After Spiritual nourishment at the cross we went to a restaurant where we place our order. After the meal we waited for our ticket. We finally had to call the waiter and asked: “Where is our ticket?” “Some people have already paid for your meal.” She surprised us. “Where are they? We need to say thank you to them.” “They have gone.” We rejoiced for been fed spiritually and physically for free by the Risen Lord. This was indeed the Surprise of the Risen Lord. This experience taught us about the Good Shepherd and the Easter community.
1. The Easter Community is nourished by the Good shepherd. The miracles which Jesus performed after the resurrection were related to feeding. When he appeared to the hungry disciples who had fished the whole night catching another, he miraculously helped them to catch 153 fish and when they went ashore they found that the Risen Lord has prepared a breakfast for them. Not only that the Good shepherd feeds us he also protect us. This is what he says: “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father who has given them to me is greater than all, and no one can snatch them out of my father hand.” John 10:27-29.
2 Easter Community is a transformed and inclusive. After Easter Peter preached in the house of a gentile saying: “You are well aware that it is against the law for a Jew to associate with a gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean. The fellowship of the Rise Lord embrace persons of all nationality, races, tribes and social strata.
3 Easter community preaches good news of peace. They don’t poke, gossip, insinuates. The only thing which they allow to filter in their mind is whatever is true, noble, pure, lovely, admirable, excellence and praiseworthy. By planting the seed of peace this is what they get: “And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will gourd your heart and minds in Christ Jesus.” Filled with this peace, they are anxious for nothing. But in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving they make their request know to God. Philippians 4 4- 9
4. As Easter community we have three Keys to success: Forgiving, giving, and thanksgiving. And for that reason we sing with the Psalmist: “Praise the Lord, O my soul, all my inmost being, praise his holy name, Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not his benefit. Psalm 103
OP-ED By Patriarch John Githiga
P.O. Box 19805
Amarillo, TX 79114
